wd 



a- 







Qass_ 
Book. 



THE CI ^''■^ 

District of Columbia. 



SYNOPSIS OF ITS 



ESTABLISHMENT AND GOVERNMENT. 



BY 

WILLIAM TIN D ALL. 



COPYRIGHTED. 



WASPII^tTON, D. C. : 

PUBIJSnED BY THE BUILniXG REGISTER CO. 

1889. 



THE 



District of C 



ISTRICT OF V^OLUMBIA. 



SYNOPSIS OF ITS 



ESTABi.lSHMENT AND GOVERNMENT. 



BY 

W I L L I A M T I N D A L L 



COPYRIGHTED. 



WASHINGTON, D. C. : 

PtiUI.lSHKT) BY THE BUILDING REGISTER CX>. 
1889. 



f 






The compiler ackiKnvledges indebtedness to Mr. Hugh 
T. Taggart, late Assistant District Attorney, for informa- 
tion contained in the ]:)aragraphs on the District Judiciary ; 
and to Mr. Wm. F. Carne and Superintendent of Public- 
schools AV. B. PoAvell. for other valuable data. 



Ramsey & Bisbee, 

printers ^nd binders, 

post building- 



THK DISTRICT OF COLIMBIA. 



Synopsis of Its Establishment and Local 
Government. 



The District of Columbia is the scat of (Jovernment of 
the United States. It is situated in hititude north o^°, 53', 
on tlie left baiik of tlie Potomac River, lOS miles from its 
mouth and 1S5 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. It con- 
sists topographically of the City of Washington, the City 
of Georgetown, and a suburban and agricultural section 
which contains a number of unincorporated villages, one 
of which Congress, by act of April 22, 1881), named 
"Anacostia." It embraces an area of about 72.09 square 
miles. 

It was established as the seat of (TOvernment of the 
Cnited States by proceedings taken under acts of Con- 
gress approved July 1(>, 1790, and March 3, 1791, pursuant 
to the following provision contained in the 8tli section of 
the 1st article of the Constitution of the Ciiitcd States, 
enumerating the ]»owers of Congress, viz: 

To exercise exclusive legislation in all casts whatsoever over such 
District (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of par- 
ticular States and the accei)tan('e of Congres-s, become tlie seat of Gov- 
ernment of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all 
places purcliased by the consent of the legislature of the State ifi 
which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, 
dock yards, and other needful buildings. 

The re<iuisite area was offered to the United States for 
that purpose by the State of Maryland by an act of the 
general assembly of that State, passed December 23, 1788. 

The general assembly of the State of Virginia on De- 



4 



cember 3, 1780, passed an act ceding a like tract to the 
United States forever for the same purpose. Tlie site, ten 
miles square, was located partly in the State of Maryland 
and partly in the State of Virginia by proclamation of 
President George Washington, March 30, 1791. The gen- 
eral assembly of the State of ^Maryland, l)y act of Decem- 
ber 10, 1791, ratihed the cession of that part of the District 
which was in that State. "The acceptance of Congress" 
is contained in the aforesaid act of July 16, 1790. 

The District was divided into two counties by an act 
of Congress, ap])roved February 27, 1801. The portion 
derived from Virginia was named the County of Alex- 
andria, and the portion from Maryland was named the 
County of Washington. 

Pursuant to an act of Congress of July 9, 1840, and with 
the assent of the people of the county and town of Alex- 
.andria, President Polk, by proclamation of September 7, 
1846, gave notice that the i^ortion derived from the State 
.of Virginia was receded to that State. The District was 
thereby reduced to its present area, in whicli were, for pur- 
poses of local government, three municipal corporations, 
•styled, respectivel3",'the City of Washington, the City of 
'Georgetown, and the Levy Court of the County of Wasli- 
ington. 

The population of the District from 1800 to 18S8. has 
been as follows : 



Date. 



Washing- 
ton. 



1800 ...j 3,210 

1810 8,208 

1820 13,247 

1830 18,827 

1840 23,364 

1850 40,001 

1860 61,122 

1870 109,199 

1878 131,947 

1880 147,293 

1885 ....' 173,60(i 

1888. : 179,448 



George- 
town. 


Subur- 
ban. 

1,941 

2,315 

2,726 

2,993 

3,069 

3,320 

5,225 

11,117 

16,533 

17,753 

15,531 

24,364 


Ak'xan. 
City. 

4,971 

7,227 
8,218 
8,263 
8,459 

(*) 




Alexan. 
County. 

978 
1,325 

1,488 
1,310 
1,508 i 


2,993 

4,948 

7,360 

8,441 

7,312 

8,366 

8,733 

11,384 

i 11/>71 

12,578 

14,322 

14,345 




















i 



Total. 



14,093 

24,023 

33,039 

39,834 

43,712 

51,687 

75,080 

131,700 

160,051 

177,624 

203,459 

218,157 



* Alexandria City and County receded to Virginia in 1840. 



Tlu' ahiionnal iiu-ivasi- in LSiJO in (ieorgetuwn was due 
to concentration there of laborers at work on the C. & O. 
Canah Tlie decrease in [mpuhition of Alexandria County 
in 1S30 was due to absence of slaves and other residents 
thereof employed on the same work. The item of 1"),531 
for suburban census of 1885, agrees with the official re- 
turns. The reported rate of increase in the city of Wash- 
ington for that year is abnormally large to about the 
same extent that the suburban census is deficient, and is 
probably an error due to the consolidation of the returns 
from somesuburl)an villages with the returns for that city. 



THE CITY OF WASHINGTON. 

Tile (.'ity of Washington (the Federal City) contains 
6,110.i>4 acres. The proprietors of the land embraced 
within its limits, conveyed said land in trust to two 
trustees, '"to be laid out for a Federal City, with such 
streets, squares, parcels, and lots as the President of the 
United States for the time being shall approve." 

Those trustees were required to convey for the use of 
the United States forever, to the Commissioners appointed 
to lay out the District and city, all the streets and lots 
the President might deem proper for such use. The in- 
terest of the State of iVIarvland in the site was by the 
legislature of that State, on December 19, 1701, vested in 
the same trustees, subject to the same terms and conditions 
as those to which the said ]»i-oi>rietors had subjected their 
land. 

The credit of designingtheplan of Washington is mainly 
due to Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who \vas employed 
for that purpose. He captiously refused the Commission- 
ers' request that his plan l)e engraved, and Avas dismissed 
March 1, 1702. L'Enfant's })lan was found among his 
papers after his death. 

Cpon the dismissal of Major L'Enfant, Andrew FUicott, 
who had assisted in surveying the site, was directed to 
" finisli tlie laying of the i.)lan on the ground," and pre- 
jiare for publication a i)lan from the materials gathered. 



() 

and from the information obtained by him wliile making- 
the snrveys mentioned. His phm, which was substantially 
that of L'Enfant, was the first plan engraved and pub- 
lished for distribution. Its publication and promulga- 
tion were alluded to by ['resident Washington, as "giv- 
ing the final and regulating stamp to the city of AA'ash- 
ington." The general plan has stood the test of time so 
well that Congress by act of August 27, 1S8S, directed 
that " no future subdivisions of land in the District of 
Columbia without the limits of the cities of Washington 
and Georgetown shall be recorded in the Surveyor's Office 
of said District, unless made in conformity with the gen- 
eral plan of the city of Washington." 

About .")41 acres were taken for reservations, ibr which 
the original ])roprietors received $061 per acre. Hie jtro- 
prietors received nothing for the land embraced in the 
avenues and streets. 

Although in consequence /)f disputes as to the mean- 
ing of portions of the deed the trustees refused to convey 
the streets and reservations to the Commissioners ap- 
pointed to lay out the city, the Supreme Court of the 
United States decided that the fee therein was vested in 
the United States. (Van Ness rf ux. r.s. City of Washing- 
ton, 4 Peters, 2o-2.) 

The land not taken for use as highways and reserva- 
tions was sul)divided into lots. Each alternate lot was 
recoil veyed by t]ie trustec^s to the original })roi)rietors. 
The remaining alternate lots were subject to sale. The 
proceeds, of such sales were first to be applied as far as 
neces.sary to pay the original })roprietors for the land taken, 
for reservations, and the remainder to be a})plied in the 
construction of National public buildings, (fee, as directed 
by Congi-ess. Thus the United States not oiil}^ got without 
cost the fee simple in the streets and the sites and grounds 
for its public buildings, but received a large amount of 
money from the proceeds of the sales (.)f the alternate build- 
ing lots. 

The first official mention of the city by name was by 
the original Commissioners in a letter dated September 
9, 1791, in which they state: "Wo liave agreed that the 



Federal District siiall be called the Territory of Columbia, 
and the Federal City, the City of ^\'ashin<iton." 

The lirst local authorities of Washington were the Pres- 
ident of the United States, the three Commissioners ap- 
pointed by the President under act of July 10, 1700, and 
the officers of the Levy Court. They and their successors 
continued to administer the local government until June 
1, ISO'2, upon which date, pursuant to the act of May 3, 
1802, the " affairs of the City of Washington," which had 
previously been under the said Commissioners, were en- 
trusted to an officer styled Superintendent. 

The City of Washing'ton Incorporated. 

The inhabitants of the city were by an act of Congress 
•of May 3, 1802, first incorporated as the City of Washing- 
ton, with a city council elected b}' the people and a mayor 
appointed by the President. The first mayor was ap- 
pointed in June 1802, and was reappointed annualh' and 
served until the second Monday in June, 1812. when, by 
an act of Congress of May 4, 1812, the duty of electing a 
mayor devolved on the city council, and so continued 
until the first Monday of June, 1820, from which date, 
pursuant to aii act of Congress of Ma}^ 15, 1820, the mayor 
was elected by the people for terms of two years, until 
May 31, 1871, when the charter of the corporation was re- 
voked by an act of Congress of Februar}^ 21, 1S71. The 
name of the City of Washington was retained as a local 
designation. 

The widths of tlie streets and avenues of Washington 
are : 

XOKTU. 

A B C I) E F (i H I K L M X O P Q li S T U Y W 

90 90 80 70 110 1(10 tld 00 00 147.8 90 00 HO 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 80 80 

SOUTH. 

A B C D E F G H I K L M N () P Q U S T V V W 

-00 90 80 90 ilO 70 lOll Sil 90 8(i 90 90 90 sr, So So 8'. S.'i s:, 80 .SO 40 



EAST. 



2 

80 110 90 90 85 100 So 90 100 90 SO 90 112 90 100 .90 80 100 80 80 100' 

21 22 23 24 

80 80 80 8(1 
AVEST. 

1 1 2 3 4 4| 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 131^ 14 15 16 17 18 

80 90 90 110 80 110 80 100 85 100 85 85 111.5 85 110 70 110 110 100 110 90 

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

110 90 90 90 loo 90 90 SO 70 80 

North and South Capitol 130, East Capitol 160, Bound- 
ary 80, Water 60 and 80. 

Avenues. 

Connecticut 130, Delaware 160, Georgia 160, Indiana 
160, Kentucky 120, Louisiana 1(50, Maryland 160, Massa- 
chusetts 160, Missouri 85, Maine 85, New York east of 15th 
street 130, New York west of 17th street 160, New Jersey 
160, North Carolina 160, New Hampshire 120, Ohio 160, 
Pennsylvania east of 15th street 160, Pennsylvania west of 
17th street 130, Rhode Island 130, South Carolina 160, 
Tennessee 120, Vermont 130, Virginia, Mall to Eastern 
Branch 160, A^irginia, B street to Pvock Creek 120. 

Besides the aforesaid streets and avenues, the following- 
places have been named by Congress or the corporation 
of Washington, and approved by the President: 

Colfax street, square 712. 

Mt. Vernon Place, N. Y., Mass. ave. and K st. between 
7th and 9th streets, n. w. 

Ashland Place, Mass. ave., I, 5th and 6th n. w. 

Stanton Place, Mass. and Md. ave's and C, from 4th tO' 
6th n. e. 

Jackson Place, west side Lafayette square. 

Madison Place, east side Lafayette square. 

Sampson street, from 14tli to 15th ])et. P and Q. 

A number of minor streets whicli were not in the orig^ 



9 

inal'plan of tho city, nor created by legislative actioiv 
have been made by the subdivision of squares_a_nd1ots. 

The streets and reservations ()ccvii)y nearly 5.") per cent. 
of the area of Washington. 

THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN. 

Georgetown was laid out i)ursuant to an act of the Prov- 
ince of^Marvland dated May 15, 1751, passed in response 
to a petition of several inhabitants of Frederick County. 
This act appointed .seven connnissioners to purchase sixty 
acres belonging to ^Messrs. George Gordon and George 
Beall, on the Potomac River, "above the mouth of Rock 
Creek, adjacent to the inspection house in the county afore- 
said," and to cause the said sixty acres to be "surveyed, 
divided and laid out "as near as conveniently may be,, 
into eighty e([ual lots, allowing sufficientspace or quantity, 
thereof for streets, lanes and alleys." The act then a(ld& 
that upon the completion of said proceedings the locality 
is "erected into a town and shall be called by the name of 
Georgetowm." 

The general supposition is that the town wiis so named 
in honor of George II, then tiie reigning sovereign of Great 
Britian, l)ut some have contended that it was named as a 
compliment to the two (ieorges. from whom the site was 
obtained. 

The Commission, whose membershi}) was ri'duced to 
five in 1784. continued to exercise the local municipal 
authoritv in tlie town until November, 1789, when the- 
town wa's incorporated, with a Mayor. Recorder, Aldermen 
and Common Councilmen. The first Mayor was appointed 
by the act of Noveml^er, 1789, for one year, to commence- 
January 1, 1790. The office was thereafter filled annually 
on the first Monday of Januar3% by the votes of the Mayor, 
Recorder and Common Council, or in an analogous man- 
ner until the fourth Monday of Fi'bruary, 1831. The 
office was then and thereatter biennially filled l)y vote of 
the people. 

The streets of Georgetown generally run .hie north and 
south, and east and west. 



10 

The north and south fstrcets were niinibered by order of 
the Distriet Commissioners in eontinuation of the western 
series of the streets of AVashington liaving the same gen- 
eral direction. They are numbered from 26th to 38th, 
both numbers included. 

The east and west streets are named by the Commission- 
■er's order, from K (or Water) to W, in order to agree as 
nearly as practical)le with the corresponding streets in 
Washington. 

A few streets, viz., IVospect, Dumbarton, Ohve, Jetfer- 
son, Valley, Potomac, Grace and Needwood, are so sit- 
uated as not to admit of designation under the aforesaid 
numerical and alphabetical system. 

The streets of Georgetown are sixty feet wide from build- 
ing line to building line, except K, which is 70; M, 82^ ; 
.35th, 80; 32nd, from K to the angle south of N. 82*; Val- 
ley, 33; Mill, 33, and poplar 40. 

The city has been enlarged by numerous additions until 
it covers 400J acres. 

Its cliarter was revoked from May 31, 1871, by the act 
of February 21, 1871, aforesaid, and only its name retained 
as a topographical designation. 

It was never incorporated as the citv of Georgetown, 
hut acquired that designation by the evidently inadver- 
tent but frequent reference^ to it l)y that title in numer- 
ous acts of C^ongress. 

LEVY COURT. 

The Levy Court, of the County of Washington, was pro- 
vided for by an act of ( "ongress of March 3, 1801 , and under 
that and subsequent laws, managed the local affairs of 
that part of the District of Columbia outside the cities of 
Washingtt)n and Georgetown, until it, too, was abolished 
after MaV 31, 1<S71, by said act of February 21, 1871. 

First Municipal District Government. 

The act of Congress of February 21, 1871, which revoked 
the charters of tlie cor])orations of the City of \\\ashington. 



the City ol' Gc'or<;vto\vii, and tla- 1-tivy Court of the County 
•of Washington, established in tlieir stead a single muni- 
cipal government named the District of Columbia. But 
all valid laws and ordinances in the District were, by said 
act, continued in force. The new municipality consisted 
of a Governor, a Board of Puldic Works, a Secretary, a 
Board of Health, ap]»ointed by the President of the United 
States, a Legislative Assembly, consisting of a Council, 
appointed by the President of the United States, and a 
House of Delegates elected by the citizens of the District. 
It was represented in the Congress of the United States 
by a delegate in the House of Representatives, who was 
elected by the citizens of the District. 

Temporary Coniniission Government. 

By an act of Congress of June 20, 1874, the form of 
government established by said act of Febi'uary, 21, 1871, 
was abolished and the executive municipal authority 
tempctrarily vested in three Commissioners appointed by 
tiie President of the United States, and all valid laws affect- 
ing the District were continued in force. This temjjorary 
form of government existed until July 1, 187S. when, [)ur- 
suan.t to an act of Congress of .June 11. 1878, it was suc- 
cee<led l)y the ])reseut form. 

The Present District Government. 

The present loeal government of the District of Colum- 
Ijia is a municipal corporation embracing the territory 
ceded to the Ignited States by the State of Maryland. This 
government is administered by a l)yard of three Commis- 
:sioners liaving eipial powei's and duties. Two of them are 
•appointed from civil life by the President of the United 
States, and confirmed by the Senate of the United States, 
for a terra of three years each, and until their successors 
4ireap))ointed and (|ualified. They must have been actual 
•residents of the Di.strict for three years next before their 
-appointment, and have, during that period, claimed resi- 
<denc? nowhere else. The other Commissioner is detailed 



12 

IVoni time to time by the President of the United States' 
from the Kngnieer Corps of the United States Army. He 
mnst have lineal rank above that of ca[)tain, and shall not 
be requii'ed, while so detailed, to perform any other serv- 
ice than that pertaining to the duties of Commissioner. . 
He is assisted by two officers of the same corps, of subor- 
dinate rank to his, who are detailed for that duty by the 
President of the United States. 

The salaries of the Commissioners are $5,000 per aiinumi 
each. The two Commissioners ai)pointed from civil life 
give l)ond to the United States in the sum of 150,000- 
each. 

One of the Commissioners is nnnually chosen by his 
colleagues to be })resident of the board, or as often as- 
vacancies in that position occur. This distinction involves 
no powers nor duties to the incumbent different from the 
official functions of the other Commissioners, except the 
obvious duty of presiding at the meetings of the board. 

One of the Cunnnissioners is ex-officio Trustee of the- 
Reform School, and one ex-officio Trustee of the Colum- 
bia Hos])ital for Women. 

Neither of the Commissioners nor any other officer of 
tlie District shall be surety on any bond to the District, 
nor shall any contractor be surety for any District officer 
or contractor. 

The Commissioners shall make no contract nor incur 
any obligation other than those a))})roved by Congress.. 

Appointinent of Subordinate Municipal Officers.. 

The Board of Commissioners, directly or indirectly, con- 
trols the appointment and removal of all officers and em- 
ployes of the District Government, except teachers and 
janitors of ])ublic schools, and may abolish any office, or- 
con.solidat(' any two or more offices under them. 

Municipal Improvements. 

All contracts for [)ul)lic imj)rovements made by the Dis- 
trict Government shall be entered into only with the offi- 
cial unanimous consent of the Commissioners, under strict 



18 

recjuii'ciiiL'iitrt of law. Ten per centum of the cost of all 
neM' pavements or other works, is detained from the con- 
tractors for five years as a guarantee that the work will 
he kept in repair for that jieriod. 

Street railroad comj)anies must pay cost of street pave- 
ments laid hetween their tracks and two feet exterior 
thereto. 

The Commissioners have entire charge of the streets, 
avenues, and other highways in the District, for the pur- 
pose of keeping them in repair, improving lighting and 
cleaning them, })ursuant to ap})ropriations made therefor 
l)y Congress. 

Parks and Parking. 

The })arks in the District and the public buildings and 
grounds occupied by the several departments of the 
United States Government and Congress are under the 
charge of officers of the United States Government who 
are not officers of the District (Jovernment. The street 
parkings are not included in the '' parks " mentioned, 
but are nnder the immediate care of a parking commis- 
sion of three expert arboriculturists, who serve in that 
capacity gratuitously. sul)ject to supervision by the Dis- 
trict Commissioners. 

"Water Supply. 

The water sup])ly of the District is obtained from the 
Potomac River through an atjueduct about twelve miles 
long and nine feet in diameter, and a system of settling 
and distributing reservoirs. Tliis portion of the water 
sup})ly system is under the charge of an officer of the 
Engineer Corps of the United States Army not connected 
with the District municipal government. 

The distribution of 'water supi)ly to private consumers 
is effected by the municipal government. The act of July 
1, 1882, })rescribes that the operations of the water depart- 
ment of the District shall be under the direction of the 
r^ngineer's office, subject to the control of the Commis- 
sioners. 



14 

Tho flail}' ([uaiitity oi' water furnished during the fiscal' 
year ended June o(>, l>i<Sl), was at the rate of 14<) gallons 
to each inhabitant. 

Under ihe provisions of the acl of ( 'ongress of July lo, 
1882, a plan to increase the water supply was devised and 
the work was partially executed. 

This plan contemplated the construction of a subter- 
ranean acpieduct through solid rock ■20,05)<).3 feet long, in 
a direct line from the distributing reservoir about two 
miles northwest of Georgetown to the reservoir to be con- 
structed north of the City of Washington, in the ravine- 
between "ind and 6tli streets, extended. The entire length 
of this tunnel has been excavated, and about two-thirds of 
it lined with brick and stonework. Tlie lateral diameter- 
of the tunnel, which is in the form of a semicircular arch 
with side walls, is 5) feet 10^ inches, with an average sec- 
tional area of 70.") feet, ft is furnished with air shafts, at 
Fayette street, and 22nd and 13th streets, extended; also 
with working shafts at each end and at Foundry branch, 
Rock Creek and Champlain avenue. 

The new reservoir at the eastern end is practically com- 
pleted. It has a capacity of al)out three hundred million 
gallons. 

Pending an investigation instituted under a concurrent 
resolution of Congress of October .S, 1888, to ascertain the 
character of the v.'ork done on the tunnel, operations were- 
suspended and have not been resume(h 

After tlie discontinuance of this work, Congress on March 
3, 1889, appropriated $575,000, payable in equal parts by 
the United States and the District, to lay a 48-inch cast 
iron water-main from the Georgetowm- distributing reser- 
voir to 4th and R streets northwest, and to improve the- 
water service on the higher levels. This work is nearing 
completion. 

Harbor.. 

The general improvement of the harbor is effected by 
officers of the Engineer Corps of the Army, under super- 
vision of the War Department, but the Commissioners 



15 

c-uiitrol the iinproveiiK'iit and })rutec-ti()ii of the riverfront 
jind the construction and maintenance of wharves, and 
the harbor reiinlations; are enforced by a nninicipal har- 
bor master. 

Sources of Revenue. 

The reveiuies of the District of Columbia are derived 
from two principal sources. 

1. From a tax levy on private taxal)le pro})erty and 
privileges. 

2. From api)ropriations by Congress out of the Treas- 
ury of the United iStates to the extent of onedudf of the 
total annual expenses of the District Government. The 
property of the General Government in the District is fully 
as valuable as the private property there. No taxes are 
levied on property of the United States or of tlie District 
of Columbia. 

The taxes levied are : 

General and special. 

General taxes are : 

Tax on realty. 

Tax on personalty. 

The general tax on realty is of two kinds : 

1". Tax at the rate of $1.00 on every $100 of the assessed 
valuation of real propert}', held and used exclusively for 
(((/ricultural pur])oses outside of Washington and George- 
town. 

2. Tax at the rate of $1 oO on every $100 of assessed 
valuation of non-agricidtural real property. 

The tax on personalty is $1.50 on every $1()0 of assessed 
cash valuation thereof, not taxable elsewhere. 

Special taxes are of four kinds. 

1. For laying water mains at the rate of one and a 
quarter cents (lie.) ijer square foot of the lots abutting 
the street in which the main is laid. If the main exceeds 
six inches in diameter the abutting property is not 
specially taxed for it, unless the main has been tapped to 
supply said ])roperty as is occasionally permitted under 
exceptional circumstances. 



]() 

2. For one-half of the cost of improvement and re" 
pairs of alleys and sidewalks, and the construction of 
■sidewalks and minor sewers. The work done under this 
-system is of a kind which, consequent upon some emer- 
gency, is deemed necessary for the public health, safety, 
and comfort in special localities, or when it is desired in 
advance ot the general improvement of a locality and ex- 
ecuted for the special benefit of the jn-operty in the im- 
mediate neighborhood in which the improvement is made 
upon the request of the owners of such property. 

3. For water used by private takers. 

4. For licenses for conducting businesses and profes- 
sions, as follows : 

Apothecaries, $4 ; auctioneers, §100 ; brokers, ?!100 ; bank and l^ank- 
ers, 50c. i)er $1,000 capital; bar-rooms, $100 ; brewers, •$25 ; ))ill posters, 
$20 ; billiard and other tables, etc., $10 each table ; cattle brokers, $20 ' 
circus, $200 per week or part thereof; commission mercliants, $40 
dealers in ice, $4 per $1,000 capital ; dealers in liquors (wholesale) 
$10 per $1,000 capital ; dealers in junk, $40 ; dealers in old barrels, $10 
■entertainments, $5 each day ; hacks, cabs, and vehicles, $10 hacks, $( 
cabs ; hotels, $25 for ten rooms, $1 each additional room ; intelligence 
■offices, $10 ; insurance companies and agents, $15 for agents ; livery 
stables, $25 for ten stalls, $1 each additional stall ; manufacturers of 
illuminating gas, 50c. per $1,000 capital ; peddlers, $50; pawnbrokers, 
$100 ; produce dealers at large, $25 ; produce dealers in markets, $25 ; 
restaurants, $25 ; real estate agents, $50 ; steam engineers, ■$3 ; theaters, 
$100 ; variety theaters, $500 ; and for building and other permits for 
which fees are charged. 

Assessment of General Taxes. 

The general assessment of real property in the District 
is made every three years, by twelve temj^orary assessors 
appointed by the Commissioners, whose duty it is to make 
the assessment as nearly as practicable according to the 
true value of the property in lawful money, and report 
it on or before the first Monday in June of the assessment 
year. These assessors, with the permanent assessor, sub- 
sequently sit until the first Monday in August thereafter 
as a board of equalization to hear and act upon complaints 
of pers.jns who allege that their property has been inequita- 
bly assessed. The assessment, as so determined, stands 
for three years, excepting as it is increased by the erection 



1 



of new buildings or decreased by tbe removal or destruc- 
tion of buildings which liave been assessed. New houses 
become assessable in the fiscal year succeeding the fiscal 
year in which they are roofed. 

Personal Tax. 

The personal tax is assessed annually liy the permanent 
assessor. 

Present General Assessment. 

The assessed valuation of assessable real ))roi)erty June 
30,1889, was: 

Washington r $! 19,61?.,603 

Georgetown , .■3,:50.'3,021 

Suburte, agricultural S4,084,4<)2 

Suburbs, non-agricultural 8,.5:W,303 

12,(il7,79.''> 

Total 4!137,G2o,4l9 

The assessed valuation of i)ersonal property June :')(), 

1880, was ll,02o,l()7 

Tbe amount of private real property exenii)t by law from 

taxation is 7,:!34,1G7 

Assessment of Special Taxes. 

The special assessments are prepared by the Special As- 
.sessment Clerk, except those for water mains which are 
made by the Water Department. 

X/Ollection of Revenues. 

The District revenues of all kinds, except the one-half 
contributable by the United States, are collected by the 
Collector of Taxes, and daily deposited by him in the 
United States Treasury. 

The amount contributed by the Ignited States as the pro- 
portionate amount due from the general Government for 
the municipal expenses of the District, except for inter- 
est and sinking fund, is upon requisitions of the Com- 



IS 

missioners from time to time placed to the District's credit 
with the Treasurer of the United States, subject to the Com- 
missioners' draft for disbursement for District expenses. 

The collection of taxes in arrears on realty is annually 
enforceable by the public sale of the property upon whicjj 
such taxes are due. 

The collection of arrears of taxes on personal property 
is enforceable by distraint. 

The average annual proportion of uncollected general 
taxes on realty is 1> ])er cent of the tax levy. 

Disbursements. 

l^hc Commissioners disl)urse either upon their warrant, 
or b}^ approving requisitions — but only in pursuance of 
antecedent appropriations by Congress — all money appli- 
cable to the expenses of the municipal government, excei)t 
interest and sinking fund on the District funded debt, 
which are paid by the Treasurer of the United States, to 
whom the management of that deljt is entrusted bj^' law. 
The disbursements of tlie Commissioners are made upon 
itemized vouchers, audited by the Auditor of tlie District. 
and certified by a majority of the Board. Their accounts 
are subject to subsequent adjustment and settlement Ijv 
..the accounting officers of the United States Treasury. 

Debt. 

The District has no tioating del)t. 

'The total l)onded debt, June 30, 18.H9. was $-20,142,050. 

^No part of this bonded debt was iiu^irred under the 
present form of the District Government. 

The District owes the United States $917,968.55, pay- 
able out of the water revenues in 21 annual installments, 
with interest at the rate of 3 per cent, per annum, on ac- 
count of the incomplete and abandoned aqueduct and 
reservoir. 

The Fiscal Year. 
The fiscal year of the District begins July 1st, 



15) 

Suffrage. 

Residents of the District never had the right to vote 
therein for national officers, or on other matters of national 
•concern after it became the seat of the general government" 
But from 1802 to June 20, ]874, the citizens of Washing- 
ton, and from January 1, 1790, to said date the citizens 
of Georgetown, were entitled to vote on municipal sul)- 
jects and for certain municipal officers; the citizens of 
the portion of the District outside of Washington and 
<Teorgetown were entitled to the same privilege from April. 
20, 1871, to June 20, 1874. The privilege was rescinded June 
20, 1874, by the act of Congress of that date, which estab- 
lislied the temporary < "ommission form of Government. 

Public Schools. 

The affairs of tlie i)ublic schools of the District are man- 
aged bv a Board of School Trustees, consisting of nine 
meml)ers, who regulate the course of instruction, and ap- 
])ointthe teachers and janitors. They serve gratuitously. 
No charge is made for instruction. Books are furnished 
free to indigent children in these schools. 

Contracts for materials and buildings, and all disburse- 
ments for the scliools, are made l)y the District Commis- 
sioners. 

There are separate s(;hools for colored and white juipils. 

The number of scholars enrolled for 1889-90, is 83,474, 
21,408 of whom were white and 12,006 colored. 

The average daily attendance is 29,781. 

2,200 persons are taught in the night schools, of whom 
1,192 are white and 1,008 are colored. 

An act of Congress, approved June 2"), 1.S04, makes edii- 
€atioii in the District compulsory ; but, as voluntary atten- 
dance is sufficii'iit for the occupation of all the school 
accommodations that are provided, no measures are taken 
under said law by the municipal authorities to enforce 
attendance. 

The school ages are from six to .seventeen, inclusive. 



20 



Deaf, Dumb, and Blind. 

Provision is made in appropriate institutions for the edu- 
cation of the deaf and dumb, and blind. 

Police Department. 

The Police Department consists of 1 Major, 1 Captain, 
2 Inspectors, 9 Lieutenants, 28 Sergeants, 185 privates, 
class one, and 150 privates of class two, with police patrol 
system in seven of the precincts. 

The stations of this department are located as follows: 

Headquarters, n. w. cor. 5th and I) n. w. 

No. 1, 12th bet. B and C n. w. 

No. 2, 5th bet. M and N n. w. 

No. 3, K bet. 19th and 20th n. w. 

No. 4, E bet. 5th and (3tli s. w. 

No. 5, E bet. 5th and Gth s. e. 

No. 0, N. J. ave. bet. I) and E n. w. 

No. 7, 32nd street, Geori^etown. 

No. 8, U bet. 9th and lOth n. w. 

No. 9, 9th bet. F and Md. ave. n. e. 

Four Surgeons are appointed to attend the members of 
the fire and police departments in case of illness, and tO' 
examine applicants for appointments in those departments 
to ascertain their physical fitness for such service. 

rOLTCEMEXS' FUND. 

The Policemens' Fund is constituted of fines for breaches' 
of discipline, voluntary contributions, rewards, fees, gifts, 
and emoluments for extraordinary services of the police 
[Sec. 362, Pv. S. I). ('.], and by $1.00 per month, deducted 
from the pay of each policeman under the following law : 
"That hereafter the Commissioners shall deduct $1.00 each 
month from the pay of each policeman, which sum so 
deducted shall be added to, and form a part of the present 
police fund, to be invested in United States or District 
bonds by the Treasurer of the Ignited States, and be held 



21 

.l)V liiiii subject to the draft.s of the Commissioners lor ex- 
penditures made in pursuance of law, and such expendi- 
tures shall be accounted for as required by law for other 
■expenditures of the District ; and said police fund shall hv 
used for the relief of any policeman who, by injury re- 
ceived or disease contracted in line of duty, or havint;' 
served not less than fifteen years, shall become so perma- 
nently disabled as to be discharged from service therefor; 
and in case of his death from such injury or disease, leav- 
ing a widow, or children under sixteen years, for their re- 
lief: Provided further, That such relief shall not exceed 
for any one policeman or his family the sum of $50 })ei' 
jnontli; and a sum not exceeding $75 may be allowed 
from said fund to defra}^ the funeral expenses of any police- 
nian dying in the service of the District.'' 

SWEEPING AND CLEAN ]N(i STREETS. 

This department also supervises the sprinkling, sweej)- 
ing and cleaning of streets, avenues, and alleys. 

Fire Department. 

The Fire Department of the District consists often steam 
fire engines, ten hose carriages, three hook and ladder 
trucks, and all other necessary appliances. 

Each engine company consists of 1 foreman, 1 engineer. 
1 fireman, 1 hostler and (> jiriwites. 

Each truck company consists of 1 foreman. 1 tilh'rniau. 
and 1 hostler and S f)rivates. 

The comj>anies are located as follows: 
lOngine companies: 

No. 1, K bet. IGtli and 17th n. w. 

No. 2, D bet. 12th and 13th n. w. 

No. 3, Del. ave. and C n. e. 

No. 4. \ii. ave. bet. 4i and 6th sts. s. w. 

No. 5, M bet. 32nd and Potomac n. w. 

No. 0, Mass. ave. bet. 4th and 5th n. w. 

No. 7, R bet. 9th and 10th n. w. 

No. 8, N. ('. ave. bet. Oth and 7th s. e. 



99 



Truck companies: 

A, X. Caj). bet. B and C n. e. 

B, N. H. av(\ an<l M n. w. 

KIKKMEXS' l{I<:i>IKF I'lND. 

The iireniens' relief fund is constituted under the tol- 
lowing provision, page 317, vol. 23, U. S. Stat, at L. : 

""Provided, That hereafter the Commissioners shall de- 
duct 11.00 each montli from the pay of each fireman, which 
sum so deducted shall be kept as a firemen's relief fund, 
and be invested in Ignited States or District bonds, and 
held in manner provided in this act for the police fund, 
and shall be used for the relief of any fireman who, by 
injury received or disease contracted in line of duty, or 
having served not less than fifteen years, shall become so 
permanently disabled as to l)e discharged from service 
therefor; and in case of his death from such injury or dis- 
ease, leaving a widow, or children under sixteen years of 
age, for their relief: Provided further, That such relief shall 
not exceed for any one fireman or his family the sum of 
$50 per month, and a sum not exceeding $7o niay be 
allowed from said fund to defray the funeral expenses of 
any fireman dying in the service of the District." 

Telephone and Telegraph Service. 

Connected with the Tolise and Fire Departments is an 
electrical system for fire alarms and for giving information 
for police purposes. 

Health Department. 

The laws antl regulations relative to the public health 
are enforced by an ofiicer called the Health Officer. Among 
his duties are the registration of vital statistics, the co'l- 
lection and removal of garbage, impounding domestic anil- 
mals found at large, enforcing the regulations govern ijig- 
plumbing and house sewerage, the abatement of nuisances 
and the inspection of food offered for sale. 



Coroner. 

It is the duty of the Coroner to hold an inquest over 
any person found dead, wliere the manner and cause of 
death are not known as accidental or in the course of 
nature. 

Municipal Markets. 

Three of the markets in the District are under munici- 
pal management and control, and yield an aggregate 
annual net revenue of about $(),()00. 

Commissioners of Pharmacy. 

To protect the public in the dispensing of drugs, the law 
provides that all persons engaged in that business must 
first be examined and registered by a Board of Commis- 
sioners of Pluirmacy. 

Inspector of PKimbing-. 

The immediate enforcement of the jdumbiug regula- 
tions is etiected through the Inspector of Plumbing, who 
is required by law to see that all j)lumbing, drainage, and 
sewerage work is done in accordance with said regulations. 

Inspection of Buildings. 

Private buildings may 1)6 erected, altered, repaired, or 
moved in the District only by permission of tlie Inspector 
of Buildings, in accordance with the building regulations. 
The Inspector may also order the demolition of dangerous 
or defective structures under certain conditions. 

Miscellaneous Inspectors. 

The inspection and adjustment of weights and measures, 
and the inspection of firewood, coal, lumber, flour, and gas, 
and gas meters, are effected through officers, whose duties 
are specificall}'' prescribed ])y law. 



24 

Judiciary. 

The District judiciary consists of a Supreme Court, a 
Tolice Court, Justices of the Peace, and a number of 
United States Commissioners. 

The Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice, with 
five Associate Justices. The salary of the Chief Justice 
is $4,500, and that of the Associate Justices is $4,000 
each. They are appointed by the President of the United 
States and confirmed by the Senate, and hold office during 
good behavior. The Su})reme Court has the same powers 
and exercises the same jurisdiction as the Circuit Courts of 
the United States. It has cognizance of all crimes and 
off'enses committed within the District, and of all cases in 
law and equity between parties, both or either of whom 
shall be resident or be found within the District, and also 
of all actions or suits of a civil nature at common law or 
in ecjuity, in which the United States shall be plaintiff or 
com])lainant ; and of all seizures on land or on water, and 
of all ])enalties and forfeitures arising or accruing under 
the laws of the United States. It also has jurisdiction of 
actions, suits, controversies, and cases as well in equity as 
at law, arising under the patent and copy-right law^s, and 
for damages for the infringement of any })atent, by action 
on the case, in accordance with the provisions of sections 
4910, 4920, and 4921 of (Ji. 1, Title LX of the Rev. Stat. 
U. S. It also has jurisdiction, sitting in banc, to hear and 
determine appeals from the decisions of the Commissioner 
of Patents. It is invested with jurisdiction to issue writs 
of mandamus to executive officers of the Federal Govern- 
ment ; it has also appellate jurisdiction over Justices of 
the Peace and the Police Court. It has jurisdiction of 
all applications for divorce, and may entertain petitions 
for change of name; and it has concurrent jurisdiction 
with Justices of the Peace when the amount in contro- 
vers}^ exceeds $50. Appeals lie from this court to the 
Supreme Court of the Ignited States, but such appeals are 
restricted to cases where an amount exceeding $5,000 is 
involved, unless some federal question is at issue. It is 
*livid('d into a Circuit Couit, a Chancery Court, a District 



25 

"Court, and a Criminal Court, for the trial of cases origi- 
luxtiug there or hrought there on apjx'al. The court sil- 
ting in general term designates from time to time which 
of the .Justices shall preside over the various hranches. 
The court sits in general term, consisting of throe or more 
Justices, as an appellate court for the revision of the de- 
cisions of till' minor branches of the court. 

The Marshal and Register of Wills are essentially olh- 
cers of this court and paid in fees. 

The Police Court consists of one Judge, with a com})en- 
sation of |o,00() per an]ium. He is appointed by the 
President and confirmed by the Senate, for a term of six 
years. The jurisdiction of the court extends to the dis- 
position of cases involving minor offenses against the 
criminal laws and the holding of })ersons brought before 
it for the action of the grand jury. Api)ea]s lie from this 
court to the Criminal Court branch of the Su})reme Coui't 
of the District of Columbia. 

Justices of the Peace are ap}»ointed by the Pi'esident 
and confirmed l)y the Senate, for a term of four years. 
They have civil jurisdiction in (;ases involving an amount 
less than $100. They have no criminal jurisdiction. Ap- 
l)eals lie from them to the Supreme Court of the District. 

The United States Commissioners are appointed by tlie 
Supreme Court of the District. They are essentially ex- 
amining magistrates, who conduct investigations into al- 
leged violation of United States laws, and decide whether 
parties ap})earing ])efore them .shall be brought ])efore the 
grand jury. 

The President of the Unitetl States has authority to 
appoint as many Notaries Public and Commissioners of 
Deeds for the District as he deems advisable. 

' Statute Limitations. 

The statute limitations are: regarding judgments, twelve 
years; notes, tliree years, and 0}H'n accounts, three years. 



2f). 

Legal Rate of Interest. 

The legal rate of interest in the District is G per centum? 
per annum where no rate is specified ; but contracts may 
be made for any rate not exceeding 10 per centum per 
annum. 

Legislation. 

The District of Columbia has no local municipal legis- 
lative l)ody. Congress, pursuant to the provision of the 
Constitution hereinbefore mentioned, possesses exclusive 
legislative power, but has devolved upon the Commission- 
ers authority to make police, building, plumbing, liquor- 
license, elevator, special assessment, and other regulations^ 
which they liave exercised. 

The Law in Force in the District 

has been derived from many sources. The law of Mary- 
land, when that State gave to the Tnited States the pres- 
ent territory comprising the District, was composed of the- 
common law of England, the Acts of the British Parlia- 
ment found applicable to the condition of the people, and 
the enactments of the Provincial and State Legislatures of 
Maryland. This law was continued in force in the Dis- 
trict of Columbia by an act of Congress of February 27,, 
1801, and so remains, except as moditied by subsequent 
laws of Congress, the numerous laws and ordinances of 
the municipal corporations which have existed in the 
District, and the orders made by the Commissioners in 
pursuance of the acts of (Jongress granting to them the- 
power to make the police and other municipal regulations 
above mentioned. 

Reform School for Boys. 

This institution has for its object the reformation of 
boys under sixteen years of age who become liable to- 
|)unishment by imprisonment, and boys not amenabLe 
to parental or other i)rivate disci[)linary influence.. 



27 

It is managed by a corporation named '' Board of Trus- 
tees of the Reform Scliool of the District of Cohimbia," 
consisting of seven i)ersons appointed by the I'rcsident of 
the United States on recommendation of the Attorney- 
General, two consnhing trnstees, namely, one Senator; 
app)ointed by the presiding officer of the Senate for a tei'm 
of four years, and one member of the House of He})re- 
sentatives, appointed by the S23eaker thereof for a term of 
two years, and one of the Commissioners of the District 
of Colund)ia. 

Reform School for Girls. 

A Keform School for (J iris was incorporated by act of 
Congress, api)roved July t», 1888. The Board of Trustees 
has- same powers and authority with relation to girls th;U 
the Board of Trustees of Reform School for Boys has 
I'especting boys. 

Pauperism. 

The care of paupers is ett'ected by the municipalit}^ 
mainly in an institution named the Washington Asylum. 
Medical treatment and subsistence to indigent not cared 
for in said institution, are also furnished through the 
Police and Health Departments and charitable organiza- 
tions under private management partly aided I)}' muni- 
cij^al funds. 

Workhouse. 

Persons committed for offenses against municipal ordi- 
nances are confined in the municii)al workhouse. 

^ Jail. 

Persons committed for offenses against laws of the 
United States are confined in the United States Jail, ex- 
cept those sentenced for penitentiary offenses, who are- 
confined in the penitentiary of some State with whichj 
the General Government contracts for that |)urpose. 



•IS 

Insane. 

Due provision is made for the charge and treatment of 
the insane in an asyhim excellentl}^ adapted to that end, 
styled the Government Hospital for the Insane. 

Militia. 

Till' militia of the District is organized under an act of 
■Congress, approved March 1, 18S9. This law requires 
that every male citizen of the District of Columbia of the 
age of eighteen and under the age of forty-five shall be 
enrolled, except municipal and judicial officers, officers 
.and ex-officers of the United States Army and Navy, of- 
ficers who have served for five years in the militia of the 
District or of any State of the United States, ministers of 
religion, practicing physicians, railroad conductors and 
engineers, policemen, firemen, idiots, lunatics, drunkards, 
paupers, and persons convicted of infamous crimes. 

Recorder of Deeds. 

This officer records all duly acknowledged conveyances 
of real estate, or interest therein, &c., and is paid in fees. 

Surveyor. 

The Sui'veyor is the only officer authorized to make 
survey's involving an}' change in the official record of 
boundaries of land in the District. His office is the legal 
place of record of such surveys. He is paid in fees. 

Religion. ^ 

'The tfirst amendment of the Constitution of the United 
States is that " Congress shall make no law respecting an es- 
tablishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise 
thereof." 



20 
Principal District OfiEicials, December 1, 1889. 



Co)nmissionfrs. — John W. Douglass, President; Lkmon (i. IIine, and 
Charles W. Raymoxd, Maj. Eng., U. S. A. .SVo-c/a///.-^ Willi am Tt.\- 

DALL. 

AssiMcmts to Engineer Commi.moner. — Capt. Wm. T. Rdsslli. and Capt. 
James L. Lusk. 

Chief Justice. — Ed. F. Bingham. Ansnciate Jnxticea. — Alexander B. 
Hagner, Walter S. Cox, Charles P. James, Martin V. Montgomery,. 
and Andrew C. Bradley. Clerk. — R. J. Meigs. 

United States Dii^trirt Attorney. — John Blair TIoge. Axsi^tants. — Ban- 
DOLPii CoYLE and Andrew A. Lip.scomb. 

United States Marshal. — Daniel M. Ransdell. 

Judge Police Court. — Thomas F. Miller. 

Register of Wills. — Dorsey Clagett. 

Recorder of Deedji. — James M. Trotter. 

Major and SiipeiiiifniiJntt Metropolitan Police. — Wm. (i. Mi>oi;e.. 

Chief Fire Df/»irtiii, nf. — Joseph Parris. 

Superirifriideiit 'I'l li jilinnf aiid Teleqraph Serrice. — H. B. Miles. 

Su]),,inti,i'hnl I'tihin- Srlinu/s.—\Xil. B. PoWELL. 

SuperlntciKlnit < hlurril ,s'r/,oo/.v;.— Geo. F. T. Cook. 

President Board of School 2V«.s-^7'.s.— John W. l^oss-. 

Assessfjr. — Roger Williams. 

< 'Itief Special Assessment Dirision. — -W. O. Roome. 

Collector. — Eldred G. Davis. 

Auditor. — J. T. Petty. 

Attorney of District of Columbia. — Geo. C. Hazeltox. 

As.slstant Attorneij. — S. T. Thomas. 

Health Officer. — .Smith Townshend, M. D. 

Coroner. — D. C. Patterson. 

Inspector of Buildings. — Tiios. B. Entwisle. 

Su rveyor. — Wm . Fo rs yth . 

Inspector of Plumbing. — Samuel A. Robin.^on, 

District Chemist. — Clifford Richardson. 

Supfrintindent of Senrrs. — D. E. ^fcCoMB, 



80 

LIST OF MUlSriCIPAL AUTHORITIES. 



• MAYORS OF THE CITY OF WASIIINC JTOX. 

Robert Brent, from June, 1802, to June, 1812. 
Daniel Rapine, from June, 1812, to June, 1813. 
James H. Blake, from June, ISlo, to June, 1817. 
Benjamin G. Orr, from June, 1817, to June, 1819. 
Samuel N. Smallwood, from June, 1819, to June, 1822. and from 
June, 1824, to September 30, 1824. 

Thomas Carberry, from June, 1822, to June, 1824. 
Roger C. Weiglitman, October 4, 1824, to July 31, 1S27. 
Joseph Gales, jr., from July 31, 1827 to June, 1830. 
John P. Van Ness, from June, 1830, to June, 1834. 
William A. Bradley, from June, 1834, to June, 183G. 
Peter Force, from June, 1830, to June, 1840. 
William W. Seaton, from June, 1840, to June, 1850. 
Walter Lenox, from June, 1850, to June, 1852. 
John W. Maury, from June, 1852, to June, 1854. 
John T. Towers, from June, 18i4, to June, 1856. 
William B. Magruder, from June, 1856, to June, 1858. 
James G. Berret, from June, 1858, to August, 24, 1861. 
Richard Wallach, from August 26, 1861, to June, 1868. 
Sayles J. Bo wen, from June, 1868, to June, 1870. 
Matthew G. Emery, from June, 1870, to June, 1S7]. 

LIST OF MAYORS OF THE CITY' OF CJEoRliETOWN. 

Robert Peter, from 1789 to 1798. 
Lloyd Beall,lrom 1798 to 1803. 

Daniel Rentzel, from 1803 to 1805, and 1806 to 1808. 
Thomas Corcoran, from 1805 to 1806, and from 1808 to 1811, and 
from 1812 to 1813, and from 1818 to 1819. 
David Wilev, from 1811 to 1812. 

John Peter,' from 1813 to 1818, and from 1821 to 1822. 
Henrv Foxall, from 1819 to 1821. 
John"Cox, from 1822 to 1845. 

Henry Addison, from 1845 to 1857, and from 1859 to 1867. 
Richard R. CVawford, from 1857 to 1859. 
Charles D. Welch, from 1867 to 1869. 
Henry M. Sweeney, from 1869 to 1871. ^' 

(iOVERXORS OF THE DISTRICT. 

Henry D. Cooke, from February 2S, 1871, to September l:!, 1S73. 
Alexander R. Shej^herd, from September 13, 1873, to June 20, 1874. 



•31 



•ni:i.K<.Ai'i-: ro coxiiHKss. 
^"orton r. Chipmau. fnuii A])ril 21, 1871, to March 4. IS7">. 

SECKKTAIMICS. 

Norton P. Chipiuau, from March 2, 187], to April 21, 1871. 
Edwiu L. Stanton, from May 10, 1871, to !Septeml)er 22, 187:5. 
Richard Harrington, from September 22, 1878, to June 20, 1874. 

liOAKD OF I'lnr.H- \VOI!KS. 

Henry D. ("ooke, while (Jovernor. 

Alexander K. Shepherd, from March 1(1, 1871, to S('i)teml)er l:!, 187". 

S. P. Brown, from Marcli Ki, 1871. to Sept('ml)er i:>, 1873. 

A. B. Mullett, from Marcli 16, 1871. to June 2, 187:;. 

James A. Magruder, from Marcli 1(), 1871. to June 20, 18(4. 

Adolph Cluss, from Januarv 2, 187:), to June 20, 1874. 

Henrv A. AVillard, from Mav 22, 1873. to Jtme 20, 1874. 

John'r.. Rlake, from Sei>tenil)cr 13. 187.".. to June 20, 1874. 

r.OAKD (IK HEAl.Tll. 

X. S. Lincoln, from March lo, 1871, to March 22, 1871. 

T. S. Yerdi, from March l.'i, 1871. to .lulv 1, 1878. 

H. A. WilJard. :March U, 1S71. 

John M. J^an.sfi^ton, from ^larcli lo, 1871 to Novcmltcr 10, 18/7. 

John ^Iarl)urv, jr., from ^larch lo, 1871, to Julv 1, 1878. 

D. Willard Bliss, from Mav 23,1872, to Julv 1,1878. 

Eobert B. Warden, from Xovember 10, 1877, to July 1, 1878. 

Christopher ('. Cox, from April 3, 1871, to July 1, 1878. 

<'OrNCIL OK THE I-E(;iSI. ATI V E ASSE.MIil.V OK THE DISTRICT oK COI.rMKI A. 

Brooks, J. H. 
Browne, A. K. 
Buker, J. W. 

Cross, Samuel. 
Douglass, Frederick. 
Douglass, Lewis H. 
Eaton, Daniel L. 
(lolden, S. M. 
Gedney, Samuel. 
Gray, .Tohn A. 
Gulick, George F. 
Flail, Adolphus. 
Peck, Charles F. 
Riley, Joshua. 
Smith, Daniel. 
Stickney, William. 
Thompson, John W. 



32 



MEMBERS OF THE HOISE OF DELECiATES OF THK LEGI.SLATIVE ASSEMBL'X: 
OF TirE DISTRICT OF COLUMlilA. 

Berry, Edward P., Third district. 
Boswell, Frederick A., Seventeenth district 
Brewer, C. J., Eleventh district. 
Brooks, Joseph, First district. 
Brown, Solomon (1., Fii-st district. 
Burgess, (jeorge, Eighth district. 
Bursley, Lemuel, Twenty-first district. 
CampV^ell, Peter, Fourteenth district. 
Carroll, Joseph G., Twentieth district. 
Cassin, W. I)., Third district. 
Chase, Thomas W., Eighth district. 
Clagett, William TL, Fifteenth district. 
Cox, John E., Fourth district. 
Davis, Madison, Twenty-second district. 
Dickson, William, Twelfth district. 
Dyer, George W., Seventh district. 
Ennis, John F., Tenth district. 
Fleming, Robert I., Ninth district. 
Gordon, Leonard, Fourteenth district. 
Hall, Joseph T. H., Second district. 
^ Handy, James A., Seventh district. 
Harkness, John C, Thirteenth district. 
Herbert, Sidney W., Twenty-first district. 
Hogan, John, Nineteenth district. 
Hulse, Charles L., Fifth district. 
Hunt, William R., Eighteenth district. 
Lloyd, Thomas E., Eleventh district. 
Long, James G., Twelfth district. 
McKnight, John W., Sixteenth district. 
Moore, William W., Fifteenth district. 
Murray, John F., Sixth district. 
Peck, Clement A., Second district. 
Perkins, John A., Fifteenth district. 
Robertson, Samuel P., Sixteenth district. 
Shepherd, Arthur, Thirteenth district. 
Smoot, S. S., Ninth district. 
Solomons, A. S., Ninth district. 
Taliaferro, AV. A.. Seventeenth district. 
Trimble, Mathew, Tenth district. 
Underwood, Alljert H., Sixth district. 
Urell, M. E., Nineteenth district. 
Venable. Josiah L , Twentv-second district. 
Vermillion, W. E., Twenty-second district. 
Wall, O. S. B., Second district. 
Wilson, George B., Fifth district. 
Youngs, Elphonzo, Eightli district. 



Commissioners of the District of Columbia. 



TK.Ml'URAKV GO VliKN M f.VT. 

Deiinif^oii. Win., I'luiii .liilv 1, 1874, to July 1, 1S78. 

Blow, Henry T., from July ], 1874, to Dec. 31, 1874. 

Ketcham. .iolin II., from July ;J, 1874, to June 30, 1877. 

Phelps, Seth Ledyanl, from Jan. 18, 1875, to June, 30, 18,8. 

P.rvan, Tlios. B., succeeded Ketcham to July 1, 1878. 

Hoxie, Capt. Richard 1.., Engineer from July 2, 1874, to July 1. 1878. 

I'EKM.\NENT KORM OK (}OVEJ:.N'.MEXT. 

Dent, Josiah, from July 1, 1878, to July 17, 1882. 
I'helps, Setli J.., from July 1, 1878, to Nov. 20, 1870. 
Twining, IMaj. Wm. J., from June 20, 1878, to JMay 5, 1882. 
Morgan; Thos. P., from Nov. 20, 1870. to March 8, 1883. 
Lvdecker, Maj. Garrett J., from Mav 11, 1882, to April 1, I8^r,. 
AVest, Joseph 'R.. from July 14, 1882, to July 22, 1885. 
Kdmond.s, Jas. B., froni March 3, 1883, to April 1, 1880. 
Webb, Wm. B., from July 20, 1885, to May 21, 1880. 
Wheatlev, S. E., from IMiirch S, 1886, to Mav 21. 1880. 
Ludlow, Col. Wm., from April 1. 188G, to Jan. 20, 1888. 
Raymond. Maj. Cha.s. W., from Jan. 20. 1888. 
Douglass, John W., from Mav 21. 1880. 
Hine, Lemon G., from ISIay 21, 1880. 
Scrri'tary. — Will iam Tindall . 

ASSISTANTS TO EXGIXEER COMMISSIONERS. 

Capt. R. L. Hoxie, July 21, 1878, to Aug. 1, 1884. 
Capt. F. V. Greene, Mav 2, 1870, to March 3. 1885. 
Lieut. C. McD. Townsend, Aug. 1, 1884, to March 0, 1880. 
Capt. F. A. Mahan, March 25. 1885, to May 27, 1880. 
Capt. Eugene Griffin, Mav 27, 188(5, to March 6, 1888. 
Capt. Thos. W. Svmons, June 5, 1886, to Nov. 1, 1880. 
Capt. S. S. Leach>-March 6, 1888, to June 2. 1888. 
Capt. J. L. Lusk,-Juue 2, 1888. 
Capt. Wm. T. Rossell, Nov. 1, 188'.t. 

Parking Commissioners. 

Wm. R. Smith, since 1871. 
Wm. Saunders, since 1871. 
John Saul, since 1871. 



INDEX, 



Alexandria County, naming of 4 

Alexandria County, receded lo Virginia 4 

Alexandria County, population from 1800 to 1846 4 

Anaco^tia, naming of ■ :> 

Assessed value of property in District of Columbia 17 

Assistants to Engineer Commissioner \:l~:i?> 

Blind, instruction of U) 

Board of Health 11-31 

Board of Public Worlds 11-31 

Bonds, no District officer or contractor shall be surety on l;i 

Buildings, Inspector of 23 

Commissioner of Deeds 2.7) 

Commissioners of the District of Columbia provided for 10-11 

Commissioners of the District of Columbia, names of. 29-33 

Commissioners, United States 25 

Contracts not provided for by Congress, prohibited 12 

ten per cent, of cost retained for repairs 13 

Coroner 23 

Council of the District of Columbia 11-31 

Deaf and Dumb, instruction of. 20 

Debt of the District of Columbia 18 

Delegate in House of Representatives United States 11-32 

Disbursements, method of 18 

District of Columblv : 

location of 3 

area of 3 

establishment of, as seat of government 3 

divided into two counties 4 

constitutional provision respecting 3 

population of 4 

first named the Territory of Columbia (> 

first consolidated government of 10 

temporary Commission government of 11 

permanent form of government for 11 

debtof 18 

Ellicott, Andrew 5 

Fire Department 21 

Fiscal year of the District of Columbia IS 

Georgetown : 

laying out of 9 

naming of 9 

area of. 9-10 

municipal authority in y 



35 

streets, direction and width of -^ 

Mayors of v " '^^^ 

revocation of charter of 1*1 

Governors of the District of Cohunbia •'>" 

Harbor, improvement and regulation of. 1-^ 

Health Department '^'^ 

House of Delegates 11-82 

Insane, care of -"^ 

Inspection of lumber, fuel, flour, gas, I'^c -•> 

Interest, legal rate of "-'' 

Jail... ■ ■• ''l 

Judiciary 24-Lij 

Justices of the Peace '-] 

Laws in force in District of Columbia -f> 

Legislative Assembly }\ 

Legislation in District of Columbia -" 

L'Enfant, Maj. Charles Pierre:... '^ 

Lev}"^ Court, creation and aboHlion of. l'| 

Licenses i'j 

Limitations statute -'^ 

Marshal '^'^'^l^ 

Markets municipal --^ 

Militia ^^ 

Notaries Public -'^ 

( )fficers, appointment of _1'- 

Parking Commission 18-38 

Parks, care of 1;] 

Pharmacy, commissioners of -"j 

Paupers, care of -^ 

Penitentiary •-* 

■' Places " in City of Washington ^ 

Plumbing, inspection of -8 

Police Department -0 

Police Court -•"> 

Po))ulation -^ 

Railroads, street, to j)ay cost of paving trarUs, iS:<- l-> 

Recorder of Deeds 2S--!' 

Kefonn school for boys, one Commissioner tnistet' of 1"- 

Reform school for boys, management of '-'J 

Reform school for irirls •-' 

-Register of Wills...'. 2.->-2y 

Religion 2S 

Revexuk : 

SOIU'CCS of 1"> 

collection and ileposit 1" 

Schools, public 19 

Secretaries 29-81 

Statute limitation S.'i 

Streets and avenues, improvement of 12-K) 

Streets, avenues, and alleys, cleaning of 21 

Surveyor 28 

Suffrage 10 



30 

Taxes : 

assessment, etc., of l(J-]7 

enforcement of payineiitoi' 17 

average annual proportion uncollected l^^ 

Telephone and Telegraph service 1'2 

Washixgton, City of : 

area of 

laying out of 

plan of, by whom made 

streets and avenues, width of 7 

streets and reservations, area of S 

first naming of (i 

fee simple of streets in the United States (> 

first incorijo ration of 7 

plan of, to be extended into suburbs (i 

government of, prior to June 1, 1871 7 

charier revoked 7 

name continued 7 

list of mayors of :5() 

Workhouse r27 

Washington, County of, named -1 

Water supply 1:? 

Water main taxes assessment of 1"> 



